Layering Clothes for Babies, Toddlers and Bigger Kids

Getting Cosy: The Art of Layering

While the torrid summer and humid autumn days are nearly over, winter is slowly drawing in; making it a bit difficult for parents and caregivers to ensure their little ones are kept warm. Everyone, to some extent, is vulnerable to the cold winter weather; with many showing increased sensitivity to health conditions that arise from the dip in temperatures and change in climatic conditions, including flu, pneumonia, hypothermia etc. Babies and older adults are more susceptible to cold and are more likely to fall sick. Common ways to tackle the cold weather include, turning up the thermostat in the house, drinking warm beverages, and a hot water bath; but dressing properly for cold temperatures is the most important factor in keeping your kids warm and protected.
Thermal innerwear? Check. Hoodie? Check. Sweatshirt? Check. Scarf? Check. These are few of the clothing essentials you need to ensure your kid stay warm during the colder months, especially when you are planning to take them out for an early morning walk or an evening night out. And if you are new to the art of layering clothes, Mothercare’s guide to dressing right for the colder temperatures should get you started.

What is layering?

Layering is an excellent way to keep the body warm and comfortable by wearing more than one layer of clothing at a time, one on top of another, in order to regulate body heat and maintain the body temperature optimum for bodily functions.

Why layer clothes

Babies cannot regulate their body temperature until they turn a year old and little kids need additional layer of clothing to keep their bodies warm. If your kid is not dressed warm enough, he might catch a cold, be at a risk of hypothermia and other health conditions. Likewise, dressing too warm can make your kid feel clammy, dizzy, and overheated.

How is layering clothes helpful?

The different layers of clothing serve a purpose in helping cocoon the body with warmth and making the wearer feel more comfortable in the harshest of weather conditions. The warm air trapped in between the different layers of clothes acts like a blanket of insulation and keep the body warm.
Read on to find out how to best dress your kids in layers to protect and keep them warm during the colder months with these tips:

The Art of Layering Clothes

As a new parent or a parent of a toddler, you might find it hard to figure out how best to keep your babies and kids warm during the colder months, both inside and outside the house. The general rule of thumb is to dress your kids in layers of different clothing.
There should be three different basic layers of clothing on your kid:

Base Layer Clothing: The layer of clothing that is in touch with your kid’s body. Ideally, the base layer should be a fabric that is soft on the skin, has moisture-wicking capabilities to keep moisture away from his skin, in addition to offering a layer of optimum insulation. Synthetics fibers, Merino wool, and a blend of synthetic fiber are best for base layers.

Mid Layer Clothing: The layer that provides a comfortable amount of heat keep your kid warm. Depending on the weather conditions, your baby might need one or two layers of clothing for optimum insulation. Look for breathable natural fabrics, such as fleece and wool, that allow moisture to pass through.

Outer Layer Clothing: This is the outermost layer of clothing and is meant to protect your kid from the external elements of weather, such as rain and cold wind. The types of materials used for outer clothes

Steps to layer clothes perfectly

With these tips, even novice parents can successfully master the art of layering clothes for cold weather.

Start with a thermal innerwear made of a good wicking material, a basic soft t-shirt, or a long-sleeved shirt top as a base layer clothing

Add a layer on it. A sweater, cardigan, jumper, jersey or a pullover that is light-weighted and does not make your kid feel too bulky.

Then put on a sturdy padded jacket, a sweatshirt, a hoodie with zippers, or a blazer.

Make sure to cover the exposed parts of the body – head, neck, hands and feet. Heat can easily escape through the extremities; hence it is important to insulate them well. You can add a scarf or a woolen cap to cover the head when heading outdoors. A pair of good quality woolen gloves or kid gloves should keep the hands warm. For the feet, wear a pair of wicking socks (liner socks) followed by wool socks to keep your feet dry and warm.

Layer together with a range of comfortable and insulated hoodies, jackets, blazers from Mothercare.
For easier shopping, make sure to browse through Mothercare’s full range of baby, toddler and kids’ clothes for everyday wear.